They want to talk with Cos Montco authorities notify his lawyer about grope claim

By NICOLE WEISENSEE EGAN weisenn@phillynews.com Montgomery County authorities have interviewed the woman who alleges that comedian Bill Cosby groped her. Now they want to hear what Cosby has to say, according to a press release from Montgomery County District Attorney Bruce L. Castor Jr. "Authorities have asked Cosby's lawyer, Walter Phillips, for permission to interview Cosby," said the four-paragraph statement, which initially was released Monday night to only three reporters working out of the courthouse in Norristown. Phillips, however, is keeping mum about what his client will do. He did not return three phone calls from the Daily News yesterday requesting comment. The statement said the alleged victim met with detectives on Saturday and gave them a statement "concerning the events she described in her original complaint which she says occurred at Cosby's home. " She later met with First Assistant District Attorney Risa Vetri Ferman, the release says. Detectives from the D.A.'s office and the Cheltenham Township Police Department, where Cosby has a home, are "in the process of interviewing other persons who might have knowledge of the incident," the news release said. After detectives complete their investigation, Castor will decide if criminal charges against Cosby, "or anyone else," are warranted, the news said. Castor and Ferman declined to elaborate on the statement. The woman, a former employee of Temple's athletic department, reported the alleged groping to Canadian police on Jan. 13. She said it occurred a year ago at Cosby's Elkins Park mansion. *